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The High Points of Life

The High Points Of Life
Mt. Hood, Oregon
Mt. Ranier, Washington
Mt. Elbert, Colorado
10vHISVOICEvNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
Tim James climbed a summit this past summer – an impressive accomplishment for
most anyone but it’s not the first for him or even the last.
In recent years, James, a Yankton attorney, and his wife Terry have become
interested in mountain climbing but not in the strict sense of the word. They find the
highest peak in a state and then hike to the top. Some states have peaks which are very
high like Mt. Rainier in Washington state at 14,411 ft. while others like Hawkeye Point
in Iowa are just a casual stroll to stand at a monument for a photo, depicting their
accomplishment.
“We have always been recreational hikers and bikers, but when my wife was
diagnosed with lymphoma, we decided to take another look at our life and be more
active, find more exciting activities to enjoy - live a little,” James said. He did an
internet search looking for ideas and stumbled upon high-pointing.
This casual discovery has become a passion for the couple. Vacations and getaways
are planned around high-pointing across the country.
“We choose a state, find a high point and then plan a trip around it,” James said. “We
find the neatest places to explore.”
Of course, not all states are easy scores. That is the case with Washington. Terry
chose not to complete the climb with Tim because it would be very cold and
challenging. And challenging it was Tim said.
It took two attempts for James to make it up to the top of the summit.
“A climb like this takes quite a bit of planning,” James said. “Along with weather
conditions, a hiker has to train to make the four-day trek and also make a monetary
commitment to a skilled climbing group.” It’s all about timing, money and finally safety.
Last year, James made the decision to go on the trip. Well in advance, he booked a
spot with a tour group led by experienced climbers for June of this year and went to
work. On the good advice of a friend, he purchased a bag of kitty litter and loaded it in
his backpack with extra water, trying to reach a load of 40 lbs. and found some good
local trails to hike over the winter months. The trek would be physically demanding
and he needed to be prepared.
The Horse Trail in South Shore near Weigand-Burbach Nebraska State Recreation
Area was an excellent training trail and he also hiked trails around Gavins Point Dam.
Hiking at 4 a.m., James found solitude.
“You know, at the age of 57, I felt I was in good shape and had no difficulty climbing
Mt. Rainier,” James said.
The first climb scheduled in June ran into
weather conditions which prevented them from
climbing all the way to the top. The group made
it to Camp Muir at 10,000 ft. at Paradise Lodge
and rain, sleet, and snow in the next leg of the
climb forced the climbers to quit. Messages
came down telling them not to come up. Besides
enduring the bad weather conditions, climbers
need to be wary of slipping and falling into
crevices of no return.
A spot was open in August and James took it,
although he was disappointed he would miss the
sight of winter and snow-covered trails going up
Mt. Rainier.
“I picked that particular time of the year for
the seasonal views, more snow made the route
to the summit more direct,” James said. “The
August trek was a longer route because some of
the ice areas were not as stable in the warmer
weather.” The group had to climb 400 ft. further
up to go around a glacier and then 400 ft. back
down again.